Health Annotations by Ava Folk

Mental and Emotional Health

avafolk55 — 2024-09-16 18:30:19 UTC

This article titled “Kids’ mental health is in crisis. Here’s what psychologists are doing to help” by the American Psychological Association highlights how the COVID-19 era created a mental health crisis for America’s youth, resulting in higher rates of suicide and depression. Many students have had parents lose a caregiver to COVID-19 or have had a caregiver lose a job. Across the field, psychologists are studying the biological, social, and structural contributors to this crisis. They are creating training programs for educators on how to combat such issues and are working towards expanding the mental health workforce. The information in this article spreads awareness for mental health advocation in the classroom and the need for educated and well-equipped staff members who can support their student’s emotionally. To help children in the classroom, teachers can apply what they are learning in their educator training programs. It is essential for teachers to be educated on this topic so that students can flourish in their learning environments.

Abrams, Z. (2023, January 1). Kids’ mental health is in crisis. Here’s what

psychologists are doing to help. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/01/trends-improving-youth-mental-health

Healthy Eating

avafolk55 — 2024-09-16 18:31:20 UTC

This article titled “Childcare pick-up: A 1-hour window to build healthier eating habits” from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center presents research that has found the higher-calorie, less healthy snacks given to children after they are picked up from after-school care programs. The Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center suggests using this after-school time to make small changes in snack choices that contain less sugar. They also suggest the importance of making these changes at the preschool age since younger children are in a habit-forming development period. The information presented in this article can be reinforced in the classroom by educators who also teach children about making good snack choices. Educators can teach children the importance of creating healthy habits that will enhance their health. It is essential for teachers to know about healthy eating because health can directly impact a student’s learning abilities. For students to get the most out of their learning experience, they must be healthy.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. (2024, April 30). Childcare pick-up: A 1-hour window to build healthier eating habits. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 15, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/04/240430105522.htm

Physical Activity

avafolk55 — 2024-09-16 18:32:22 UTC

“Building health through physical activity in schools” by Branquinho, Forte, Ferraz, Teixeira, and Sortwell presents research that explains how physical activity improves student’s academic performance, social skills, and higher levels of self-esteem. Many children are not engaging in enough physical activity, even in school where there are barriers to physical activity opportunities. Schools are encouraged to reach beyond the mandated curriculum and provide more health enhancement opportunities such as physical education. The information in this article should encourage classroom teachers to provide more opportunities for physical activity through brain breaks or games. Teachers can use this information to advocate for their students and reconstruct their curriculum to be health-enhancing. Teachers should know about this topic to ensure that students are in good health so that they are ready to learn.

Branquinho L, Forte P, Ferraz R, Teixeira JE and Sortwell A (2024) Editorial: “Building” health through physical activity in schools. Front. Sports Act. Living 6:1359661. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1359661

Safety and Preventing Unintentional Injury

avafolk55 — 2024-09-16 18:33:08 UTC

“Reducing unintentional injuries in children through prevention programming” by Radjewski discusses statistics that state that each year, more than 2,000 children 18 and under in southeast Michigan are hospitalized for preventable injuries (Radjewski, 2024). The Children’s Foundation supports car seat, burn, and poison safety partnerships with local hospitals improve the lives of children. The Children’s Foundation believes that every child deserves a healthy life and that injury prevention efforts will empower communities to keep kids safe. The information in this article can be addressed in the classroom by reviewing safety rules with children such as why it is important to always wear a seatbelt in the car. Teachers are responsible for student's safety in the classroom where unintentional injuries can occur, so it is important that they are aware of how to prevent unintentional injuries to ensure the safety of their kids.

Radjewski, K. (2024, June 4). Reducing unintentional injuries in children through prevention programming. Children’s Foundation. Retrieved from https://yourchildrensfoundation.org/2024/06/04/unintentional-injury-prevention/

Personal Health and Wellness

avafolk55 — 2024-09-16 18:34:24 UTC

“Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2023-2024” by O’Leary, et al. includes recommendations by The American Academy of Pediatrics for routine influenza vaccinations and the use of antiviral agents for the prevention and treatment of influenza in children. Since children are at risk for hospitalization for influenza, they must get vaccinated to reduce the overall burden of respiratory illness in children. Children play a very important role in the transmission of influenza to household and other close contacts. This information pertains to teaching health in the classroom because teachers can relay this information to parents and families to protect students and staff members. Teachers can help children learn about this topic by teaching them what vaccines are and what role they play.

O’Leary, S. T., Campbell, J. D., Ardura, M. I., Banerjee, R., Bryant, K., Caserta, M. T., Frenck, R. W., Gerber, J. S., John, C. C., Kourtis, A. P., Myers, A., Pannaraj, P. S., Ratner, A. J., Shah, S. S., Bryant, K., Hofstetter, A. M., Chaparro, J. D., Michel, J. J., Kimberlin, D. W., & Barnett, E. D. (2023). Recommendations for prevention and control of influenza in children, 2023–2024. Pediatrics, 152(4). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2023-063772

Intentional Injury and Violence

avafolk55 — 2024-09-16 18:35:41 UTC

The Health and Economic Impact of Youth Violence by Injury Mechanism by Parker, Xu, D’Inverno, Haileyesus, and Peterson explains how violence is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity among United States youth. The American Journal of Preventive Medicine aims to seek information on the mechanisms most frequently used to support the implementation of effective public health strategies. Research and data collected found that the lethality of assault of U.S. youth is high when a weapon is involved. This information pertains to teaching health to elementary students because it is the teacher’s job to ensure that students are safe at school and at home. Teachers need to be aware of violence that can occur at home because students may come to school exhibiting signs of violence or abuse. When teachers are knowledgeable, they can look for warning signs to ensure the safety of their students.

Parker, E., Xu, L., D’Inverno, A., Haileyesus, T., & Peterson, C. (2023, December 22). The Health and Economic Impact of Youth Violence by Injury Mechanism [Review of The Health and Economic Impact of Youth Violence by Injury Mechanism]. American Journal of Preventive Medicine; Elsevier Inc. on behalf of American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(23)00518-4/fulltext

Preventing Tobacco Use

avafolk55 — 2024-09-16 18:36:45 UTC

The article Protecting Children and Adolescents from Tobacco and Nicotine by Jenssen, et al. (American Academy of Pediatrics) explains the success of public policy actions in protecting children and adolescents from tobacco and nicotine use. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of disease and death for adults in the United States. The American Academy of Pediatrics also suggests expanding effective public health approaches to include emerging tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and other products. The AAP has policy recommendations made through the use of an evidence-based approach. According to age groups, this information can be addressed in the classroom by teaching students what tobacco is and its health consequences. Teachers need to be knowledgeable about this topic to ensure that their students make smart choices regarding their health, both inside and outside of school.

Jenssen, B. P., Walley, S. C., Boykan, R., Alice Little Caldwell, Deepa Camenga, Groner, J. A., Marbin, J. N., Mih, B., Rabinow, L., Blake, G. H., Smith, K. S., Baumberger, J. D., Gonzalez, L., Agarwal, R., Quigley, J., Zoucha, K., Walker-Harding, L., Kurien, C., Ba’Gah, R., & Jarrett, R. (2023). Protecting Children and Adolescents From Tobacco and Nicotine. Pediatrics, 151(5). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2023-061804

Preventing Alcohol/Drug Use

avafolk55 — 2024-09-16 18:37:36 UTC

The article Psychologists are innovating to tackle substance use by building new alliances in treatment efforts by Heather Stringer discusses the concern for the latest trends of drug overdoses, and the prevalence of fentanyl being mixed in other substances. Psychologists are attempting to combat this problem by forming new alliances, providing new novel medications for withdrawal, and monetary incentives for sobriety. Psychologists are also working with researchers to identify underlying psychological and social conditions that relate to problematic drug use. The argument is made that many psychologists lack training in medicine, and are treating mental health conditions rather than treating substance use disorders. This information pertains to teaching elementary students about health because many students are affected by problematic drug use in their communities outside of school. It is essential for teachers to know about this topic because they can intervene if a child is exhibiting signs of being affected by drug use at home.

Stringer, H. (2024). Psychologists are innovating to tackle substance use by building new alliances in treatment efforts. Apa.org. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/01/trends-psychologists-tackling-substance-use